(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritkzer and House Democratic leaders are announcing a state budget deal that includes one point eight billion dollars in tax relief. The proposed budget makes an extra pension payment and puts 200 million dollars towards new public safety initiatives. House Speaker Chris Welch says it also socks away one billion dollars into the state’s rainy day fund and addresses inflation…
House Speaker Chris Welch. Both the House and Senate now need to vote on the budget plan. Illinois Senate Republicans are offering a state budget plan with permanent tax relief. Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet says their proposal will eliminate the sales tax on groceries and prescription drugs, freeze the gas tax at 18 cents, raise the property tax credit and more. He notes this would be permanent, as opposed to the temporary measures being backed by Democrats…
State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet. Rose and his colleagues are asking the Democrats for a seat at the table as the final details of the new state budget are being negotiated.
(Springfield-jm) – A bill headed to Governor JB Pritzker's desk that aims to crack down on catalytic converter thefts would require people to keep sale records of the devices. House Bill 107 would add catalytic converters to the definition of recyclable metal, requiring record keeping on the purchase of catalytic converters. Under the measure, the license plate number of the vehicle, photographs or video of the seller, a verified name and address of the seller, and a signed declaration by the seller stating that the catalytic converter was not stolen would be required. According to a recent ABC report, Illinois ranks third in the nation for catalytic converter thefts with over a 300% increase since 2019.
(Springfield-jm) – A bill with bipartisan support in the Illinois General Assembly to create a Crime Reduction Task Force Act now awaits the governor’s signature for final approval. House Bill 4736 would create the Crime Reduction Task Force composed of a bipartisan group including legislators, law enforcement, and legal and criminal justice professionals, as well as crime victims and witnesses. The task force would develop a plan of action to reduce crime across the state and report its findings to the General Assembly and the governor.
(Ford County-tr) – The Ford County Public Health Department went around the local area visiting businesses, explaining the drug Narcan and giving out free Narcan Kits. FCPHD Community Health Director Kami Garrison says a few more afternoons in April are being planned out to deliver more free Narcan Kits..
Ford County Public Health Department Community Health Educator Kammi Garrison.
(Urbana-jm) – The public is invited to an event to support wounded veterans on Sunday. The event will be hosted by the University of Illinois Police Department, Illinois Army ROTC, Chez Veterans Center, Urbana Park District and the YMCA. The event will take place at the University of Illinois South Quad from noon to 4.
(Paxton–jc) – The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is the WPXN business of the day today. Chamber President Austin Curtis says there is a ribbon cutting ceremony in the city for a new business on Saturday…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis. We have an interview on the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce over the noon hour today.
(Champaign-jm) – Members of the Congolese community of Champaign set up a protest outside the Champaign County Courthouse asking for justice for a man stabbed to death this week. Dozens of people from that community were gathered with signs calling for a stop to the violence and justice for their brother, Nzengeli Mfwamba. Officers said he was hit in the head with a hammer and stabbed to death at Peppermill Lane and Brookfield Drive. They stated his daughter’s boyfriend- Dominic Fortune–was responsible.
(Buckley-tr) – Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will be hosting a drive through pork chop dinner Sunday April the 10th serving from 11am to 12:30pm. CLHS Director Sandy Spitz shares what they will be serving that Sunday…
Christ Lutheran High School Director Sandy Spitz.
(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Police Department is once again opening the shooting range for public use. The range will be open the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10-noon through September. Cost is $10.
(Washington-jm) – Markets will have a better idea of South American crop production prospects in just a few hours when new USDA forecasts are released. Gary Crawford reports…
(Illinois-tr) – American Red Cross of Illinois is encouraging the community this spring to celebrate by making a lifesaving blood or platelet donation. American Red Cross of Illinois Communications Director Holly Baker says that for a brief time, donated blood will be tested for Covid-19 antibodies…
American Red Cross of Illinois Communications Director Holly Baker.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police were dispatched to the intersection of Paula Drive and North McKinley Avenue at around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday in response to a report of shots fired. According to officers, due to the scene being in the right-of-way, a section of McKinley Avenue was temporarily closed while officers investigated. Police said no victims have come forward at this time.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Austin Curtis says the Paxton Streetscape project will upgrade the downtown area of the city to benefit shoppers, area citizens and the business district. Curtis says during the construction period, the chamber urges patience and understanding…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis. You can hear more about chamber events and more on later newscasts today.
(Normal-jm) – More than 300 campus dining, grounds, and building service union workers at Illinois State University have issued a 10-day notice of their intent to strike. The employees’ union, AFSCME Local 1110, delivered the notice to university management on Thursday during a negotiating session in Normal. The workers prepare food, wash dishes and floors, clean restrooms and classrooms, shovel snow, maintain the Quad and more.
(Urbana-jm) – The City of Urbana is using a "scoring system" to guide its decisions for the Equality of Life. The project aims to bring infrastructure project requested in certain neighborhoods. The projects include street lights, sidewalks, and sidewalk ramps. All of which are aimed at either preventing crime or injuries.
(Washington-jm) – This week we'll get from USDA a new look at corn, soybean and wheat export prospects. Gary Crawford reports…
The Buckley Lions Club will host a Lions Bingo tonight at the Buckley American Legion. Food will be served from 5-6 pm with Bingo beginning at 6:15.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the Loda Truck and Tractor Pull on Saturday from 10-2.
The Paxton Police Department shooting range will be open to the public on Saturday from 10-noon. Cost is $10.
The Gifford Fire Department will host their pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday from 7:30-12:30 at the German Fall Festival Building in Gifford.
Christ Lutheran High School Buckley will hold their drive thru pork chop dinner on Sunday from 11-12:30.
